Going overseas?

You can put your health insurance policy on hold when travelling overseas on three separate occasions during the lifetime of the policy. Your policy can be suspended for up to 5 years (60 months) in total. However, each suspension must be for a minimum of 2 months, and be for no more than 3 years (36 months).

To be eligible for a policy suspension you must have been a member for at least 12 months, and have at least 12 months’ consecutive cover between each suspension period.

To put your Southern Cross health insurance plan on hold while you're overseas, you need to contact us before you leave New Zealand.

Your policy and premium payments will resume on the date you return. If you’re not sure when you’re coming back, your policy will automatically resume when you reach your maximum suspension period (between 12 and 36 months depending on your particular situation), unless you contact us to tell us otherwise.

Note: Your premium amount is subject to change, we will contact you to confirm your payments before you return.

Going overseas on secondment

If you belong to Southern Cross through your employer’s work scheme and are seconded overseas to work for more than 2 months, you may be eligible to request suspension of your Southern Cross policy. Your policy will then resume when you return.

Your employer needs to let us know in writing (on company letterhead) that you’re going to be working overseas. The letter needs to include your name, your membership number, and the start and finish dates of the overseas secondment.

To reinstate your policy, your employer will need to contact us on your behalf within 30 days of you returning to New Zealand.